Some houses seem to be the perfect environment for mould to grow, develop and affect our health. Maybe you stared to notice you begin to sneeze violently once you go in your basement. Probably is the effect mould has on your respiratory system. Of course, your immune system contributes to the rate in which your health will be affected by mould, but it does contribute a lot to your immune system’s strength as well. Because of this you must, of course, be familiar with its effects on human health, prevention strategies and solutions. You must first know that mould can affect you regardless of your age and gender, and while some of us might be more resilient to mould exposure, especially children and elders are more prone to develop certain affection and respond in a more negative way to exposure. Also, you must be able to identify those companies capable to help you in case of mould infestation. A company like this is safeair.ca, providing air testing services and solutions tailored to each customer’s necessities. But let’s find out more about mould and mould exposure.
What is mould?
Mould is the generic name of any type of fungus that can grow on damp and humid environments. Depending on the type, it can have different characteristics. Black mould, also known under the name of “Stachybtrys”, has the ability of reproducing asexually, therefore being prolific in taking under a home. Also referred to as “toxic black mould”, is represents an enormous health issue in case of exposure. Tremella fuciformis is another dangerous species of fungus growing and developing in houses around the world, and it is also known under the name of white mould. However, you should know that regardless of their physical characteristics, mould is equally dangerous for human health and proper solutions must be found as fast as possible.
Where does mould usually appear?
Humidity favours mould development; therefore, all the damp places in your house have the potential to let it grow freely. You can start looking for it in several different places such as:
- Closets;
- Near windows;
- On the corners of your house;
- At the bottom of your laundry basket;
- On your basement;
- On your attic;
- On your carpets;
- All around your bathroom.
Also, you should remember that mould prefers dark places, therefore it’s very likely to be well hidden from your sight. Search well for it, or alternatively, hire air testing services because they are highly qualified to identify the ratio in which your house is affected by it as well as finding proper solutions.
How can mould affect your health?
People inhabiting houses where mould is present oftentimes complain about respiratory issues, headaches, allergies and other unpleasant physical symptoms. Many studies link mould with severe allergies and asthma. Especially prone to develop such affections are children and elders, because both their immune system and pulmonary system are either weakened, either underdeveloped. Also, pulmonary haemorrhage is a potential fatal affection caused by mould exposure. In the ‘90s, a series of children in the United States have died due to this horrific association of symptoms. Toxic mould syndrome is another association of symptoms that appear in case of mould exposure. It is rather an association of unidentified diseases, not one by itself. All of them are linked to prolonged exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mould. This syndrome is affecting people regardless of their gender or age, but, once again, children and elders, or even individuals with compromised immune systems are more prone to develop it.
How to determine if your house is infested with mould?
Generally, paying great attention to a series of symptoms helps a lot when it comes to identifying a mould infestation. Allergic reactions are the first line of your body signalling that something is wrong. These allergies include sneezing, wheezing, skin rashes, runny nose, watery eyes, redness of the eyes, itchiness, and coughing. If you suffer from these and you are not able to identify any other cause, it might be possible to be exposed to mould. Make sure you hire air-testing services for proper assessment. Also, if there is a case of mould infestations, the team you hire can come with effective solutions to eliminate it.
How to pick an air-testing company
Make sure you work with a company that can offer you a detailed assessment of you indoor air composition and that benefit from innovative technology. Also, not only they can identify with success the presence of mould in your house, but they can also identify all the possible pollutants that can decrease the quality of the air you breathe. Offering detailed information, you can proceed to do something about it afterwards. However, bear in mind that these companies have the ability to develop strategies to eliminate allergens and pollutants themselves, tailored to you breathable air composition. Assessing periodically the composition of the air we breathe is something that should be done periodically, because certain reports have shown that in most houses, the air is more polluted than the outdoor air. These are concerning news, especially for families with small children. Make sure twice a year you get your air tested and make sure, you preserve the proper levels of safety.
